Family of Colombian Man Challenges U.S. Military Strikes After Death

The family of a Colombian man, Alejandro Carranza, has formally challenged U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, claiming his death during a military strike constitutes an extrajudicial killing. The petition was submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on September 15, 2023, following an incident in which Carranza’s fishing boat was bombed off Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

In the petition, Carranza’s family asserts that the strike violated international human rights conventions. They are seeking compensation, as Carranza was the primary breadwinner for his four children and spouse. Daniel Kovalik, the family’s attorney, stated that the family opted for this international avenue due to the challenges they would face in a federal case against the U.S. government. Kovalik remarked, “The U.S. does not subject itself to accountability, so we’re using the avenues we have before us.”

The U.S. military has reportedly carried out over 80 strikes since early September, targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking. These operations began off the coast of Venezuela and extended into the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Trump administration has not disclosed specific details regarding those killed in the strikes, but officials claim that members of foreign terrorist organizations were operating the targeted boats.

On the day of Carranza’s death, three people were killed in the strike. When questioned about the justification for the attack, President Donald Trump claimed that evidence of drug trafficking included “big bags of cocaine and fentanyl” found in the water. No photographic evidence supporting these claims has been made public by the military or the White House.

Kovalik has denied that Carranza’s boat was involved in drug trafficking and expressed uncertainty about the presence of other individuals on board during the attack. He noted his engagement with the Carranza family in northern Colombia, where they expressed their grief and the threats they have received since the incident. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has labeled the strikes as “murders,” criticizing the excessive use of force.

The petition cites various reports, including articles from The New York Times and The Washington Post, as evidence of the family’s claims. It details the threats faced by the family, stating, “The victims do not have adequate and effective resources in Colombia to obtain reparations … even if such resources existed, the victims could not exercise them safely, given that they have been threatened by right-wing paramilitaries simply for denouncing Mr. Carranza’s murder.”

The Pentagon has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the complaint. The military’s operations have drawn increasing scrutiny, particularly following reports that Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, allegedly issued a command to “kill everybody” on a targeted boat, with subsequent strikes reportedly killing two survivors from the initial attack. Hegseth defended the admiral involved, stating that he “had complete authority” to make the decision.

In a recent statement, Trump indicated that U.S. military strikes may soon extend to land operations. He did not specify locations but suggested potential targets could include Colombia, a major producer of cocaine. “We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live. And we’re going to start that very soon, too,” Trump stated, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to targeting drug traffickers.

As the Carranza family seeks justice, the outcome of their petition may have broader implications for U.S. military operations in the region and the accountability mechanisms available to victims of extrajudicial actions.